F
4%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
48%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
6%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleLowell/100k peopleMassachusetts/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime2,548n/a (estimate)2,1951,4272,119
Murder5n/a4.31.85.0
Rape8n/a6.927.637.5
Robbery66n/a56.936.060.6
Assault539n/a464.4249.3256.1
Violent crime618n/a (estimate)532315359
Burglary174n/a149.9130.3229.2
Theft1,520n/a1,309.6876.31,272.1
Vehicle theft236n/a203.3105.5258.8
Property crime1,930n/a (estimate)1,6631,1121,760

Lowell crime map

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The Lowell crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Lowell as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Lowell crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Lowell crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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An Overview of Crime Rates in Lowell, MA

The Lowell crime rates are 3.6% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 618 violent crimes in Lowell (532 per 100,000 people), which is 48.3% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1930 property crimes (1663 per 100,000 residents) which is 5.5% lower than average.

When evaluating the Lowell crime rate for every 100,000 residents, it positions itself in the middle range among all cities that reported crime. Our examination of total offenses, spanning both violent and property crimes, indicates that the reported Lowell crime rates closely correspond to the national average reported by other regions.

The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Lowell is very similar to the national average. Lowell had a property crime rate of 1663, while the national average was 1760. Based on these numbers, you could expect an average amount of property crime in this area.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Lowell?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Lowell residents. Out of the respondents (57 in total), 33% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Lowell were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 67% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Lowell a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Lowell a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Lowell crime rate is 4% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 6.98 crimes per day - 1.69 violent crimes and 5.29 property crimes.

Has Crime in Lowell Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Lowell has increased by 36.6% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Lowell is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 68.9%, while property crime has increased by 28.7%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Lowell.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lowell

The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Lowell, 75.3% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Lowell, the cost of living is 28.14% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

In Lowell, the median home price stands at $517,872, diverging from the national average of $326,622. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.

Compare Lowell, MA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Lowell crime rates are 4% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Lowell are 48% higher than the national average
      • In Lowell you have a 1 in 46 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Lowell is safer than 15% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Lowell has increased by 13%

      Lowell, MA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Lowell (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Lowell for every 100,000 residents. The Lowell total amount of daily crime is 1.54 times more than the Massachusetts average and 1.04 times more than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Lowell, is 1.69 times more than the Massachusetts average, and it is 1.48 times more than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Lowell has a daily crime average that is 1.50 times more than the Massachusetts average and 1.06 times less than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Lowell (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Massachusetts and all other cities across the US, is Lowell safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Lowell is safer than 6% of other cities in the state of Massachusetts. In addition, Lowell is safer than 15% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Massachusetts and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Lowell. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Lowell is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Lowell

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lowell is 1 in 188
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Lowell is 1 in 61
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Lowell is 1 in 46
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Lowell, Massachusetts you have a 1 in 188 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 61 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 46 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Lowell.

        Year Over Year Crime In Lowell (per 100,000 people)

        An ideal indicator of whether Lowell is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Lowell has increased by 23% and the rate of property crime in Lowell has increased by 10%. The total crime rate in Lowell has increased by 13% year to year.

        Lowell police department

        Item Lowell Massachusetts National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)29511,659558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.72.23.3
        There are a total of 295 Lowell police officers. This results in 2.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 26.2% greater than the Massachusetts average and 16.4% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Massachusetts

        State Total offenders Massachusetts /100K National /100K
        Massachusetts4,55172266
        There are a total of 4,551 sex offenders in Massachusetts. This yields a total of 72 sex offenders in Massachusetts per 100,000 residents which is 73% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Groton, MA1,15444192235
        Lexington, MA34,05852335387
        Winchester, MA23,43017383400
        West Concord, MA7,498102362464
        Pepperell, MA2,750109368476
        Londonderry, NH12,43241445486
        East Pepperell, MA1,981112397509
        Lowell, MA114,1705321,6632,195

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Pompano Beach, FL114,0682391,2701,508
        Downey, CA114,0564481,9172,365
        Lakeland, FL114,2883031,6111,914
        Pueblo, CO114,3771,4244,9426,366
        Gresham, OR114,4584102,4272,837
        Lowell, MA114,1705321,6632,195
        Source: The Lowell, MA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.